Written and Media by Miguel Fabela.

Super Bowl 50: Broncos’ Defense Steamrolls over Panthers

The Orange Crush, led by Von Miller and company dominated Super Bowl 50 to secure what could be Peyton Manning’s final game, in a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers. The Broncos’ defense had a phenomenal game, disrupting the league MVP Cam Newton by not allowing him to ever be comfortable in the pocket. Newton was sacked seven times on the night, tying the record for most sacks in a Super Bowl. The Bears set the previous record in Super Bowl XX (1985).

On Manning’s 200th career win, he wasn’t the star of the show. His teammate Von Miller (Super Bowl MVP) stole the limelight, seeming to be just about everywhere on almost every play against the Panthers. “This game was much like this season has been, testing our toughness, our resiliency, our unselfishness,” Manning said. “It’s only fitting that it turned out that way.”

Manning is the oldest quarterback to ever start/win a Super Bowl. In addition to that feat, he is also the only quarterback to ever win a Super Bowl with two different teams. Manning finished 13-for-23 for 141 yards passing on the night.

It only seemed fitting that the Broncos played an amazing defensive game on their return back to the Super Bowl, just two years after their embarrassing performance against the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII where they lost 43-8. It was redemption for the Broncos this time around, as they made the most of every opportunity that was presented to them defensively.

Denver’s defense played Carolina’s own game by forcing more turnovers and controlling the line of scrimmage.  The Broncos didn’t allowed the Panthers to establish an inside run game which caused them to stray away from their game plan.

The mayhem began after Panthers’ Coach Ron Rivera lost a challenge on a pass to Wide
Receiver Jerricho Cotchery. On the ensuing drive, Miller pressured Newton on his blind side and stripped the ball. The ball rolled into the end zone and teammate Malik Jackson pounced on it to put the Broncos ahead 10-0. It was one of Miller’s two and a half sacks on the night. The MVP also had six tackles, two hurries, two forced fumbles and a pass defended.

Nothing was going the way the Panthers wanted that night. The game was out of their reach from the beginning to the end with very little hope to show. The Broncos secured the victory by taking Newton out of his game and not allowing him to make plays with his legs. During the postgame interviews Newton said, “We turned the ball over. We gave up sacks. We threw errant passes. That’s it.”

Tracy Wolfson from CBS asked Manning if the game had been the final of his historic career. “You know, I’ll take some time to reflect, I got a couple of priorities first. I want to go kiss my wife and my kids. I want to go hug my family. I promise you that. So, I’m going to take care of those things first,” he continued, “and definitely going to say a little prayer and thank the Man upstairs for this great opportunity. I’m just very grateful.” Manning left us in the dark for whether he will be continuing his already outstanding career.